Method of and device for transferring content

ABSTRACT

A method of transferring content (CONT 1 , CONT 2 ) between at least two devices (DEV 1 , DEV 2 , DEV 3 ), the devices (DEV 1 , DEV 2 , DEV 3 ) being capable of outputting said content (CONT 1 , CONT 2 ), and a device (DEV 1 ) itself is disclosed. First, said devices (DEV 1 , DEV 2 , DEV 3 ) are connected via associated interfaces (INT 1 , INT 2 , INT 3 ). Then, there is a detection or negotiation which of the devices (DEV 1 , DEV 2 , DEV 3 ) is currently outputting content (CONT 1 , CONT 2 ). Finally, content (CONT 1 , CONT 2 ), which is currently being output, is transferred from the corresponding outputting device or devices (DEV 1 , DEV 2 ) to the other device or devices (DEV 1 , DEV 2 , DEV 3 ) via said interfaces (INT 1 , INT 2 , INT 3 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of transferring content between atleast two devices, which are capable of outputting said content andwhich are connected via associated interfaces. Furthermore the inventionrelates to a device, comprising means for outputting content and aninterface for connecting to at least another device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hand in hand with the increasing number of consumer electronics devices(e.g. MP3 players, mobile phones, and PCs) the user's wish to sharecontent (e.g. pictures, music, and videos) with others, which content isstored on these devices, has been increasing. Accordingly, the frequencyof content or data transfers has increased as well why consumers demandsimple solutions to perform this action.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to lower the numbers of userinteractions, for instance key strokes and mouse clicks, to share ortransfer content.

The object of the invention is achieved by a method as disclosed in theintroduction, additionally comprising the steps of:

detecting which of the devices is currently outputting content and

transferring content, which is currently being output, from thecorresponding outputting device or devices to the other device ordevices via said interfaces.

The object of the invention is furthermore achieved by a device asdisclosed in the introduction and additionally comprising:

means for detecting if said device is currently outputting said contentand

means for sending said content, which is currently being output, to saidat least another device via said interface.

According to an exemplary embodiment, content transfer may be performedin a very simple and intuitive way. Instead of a cumbersome procedure totransfer content, e.g. nested menus and a high number of clicks, theinventive device “intuitively” knows what to do. If, for example, afirst device currently is outputting content and is connected to asecond device, the first device “assumes” that its user wants totransfer the content—which currently is being output on the firstdevice—from this first device to the second device. Hence, almost nouser action is needed for this content transfer.

The term “outputting content” in this context may be understood as anyform of reproduction or rendering of audio and/or video information.

In a preferred embodiment, the content transfer is started upon userconfirmation. To avoid unwanted content transfer to devices, to which aconnection was made by chance, the transfer is started upon userconfirmation, e.g. by answering the simple question “Do you want totransfer picture 123 to device xyz?”

In further preferred embodiment, the content transfer is only started ifthere is just one outputting device. This may regulate what to do ifmore than one device is currently outputting content. Otherwise, if ahigh number of devices try to transfer content, a time consumingprocedure can result.

In yet another preferred embodiment, each outputting device transfersthe content, which it is currently outputting, to said other device ordevices. Basically, this is the other way around to avoid saidconfusion. In this case, each outputting device transfers its content.This could be time consuming but, however, requires very little useraction if content between a lot of devices shall be exchanged.

In a further preferred embodiment, said content is one of a picture, anaudio clip or a music track, a video clip or a movie, a text, or acombination of any of these. This is only an extract of the most commontypes of content that may be shared or transferred—there are manifoldother types of content known to the skilled person. It should be notedthat said content may also be the combination of different types ofcontent being output at the same time e.g. a picture, an associatedtext, and an audio message. Another example is a picture being displayedand a music track being played at the same time.

In a further preferred embodiment, said device is one of a digitalpicture frame, a MP3 player, a stereo or Dolby surround device, a TVset, a DVD recorder, a satellite receiver, a digital book, a PC, amobile phone, or a PDA. This is a extract of the most common types ofdevices, which are used to store, output, and transfer content.

Finally, it is advantageous, if said contactless interface is aninterface working according a standard for Near Field Communication.like for example ISO/IEC 18092/ECMA-340. Near Field Communication (NFC)is a short-range wireless technology with speeds up to 424 kbit/s. Thecommunication mode can be peer-to-peer read/write or tag reader/writermode. When an NFC enabled device touches another peer or a tag, a datatransfer occurs. NFC data transfer and data transmission may be secured.Mobile technology manufacturers support this technology as it providesan intuitive and simple solution for many applications. Theseapplications range from URL transfer, digital rights transfer, accesscontrol and ticketing, payment etc. However, the invention is notlimited to NFC, but the content or data transfer may also be done bymeans of other standards such as WLAN, Bluetooth or GPRS, USB network,wired Ethernet, etc., or by the combination of any of these.

In a preferred embodiment, a device acting as NFC initiator detectswhether it is currently outputting content and if yes, sends thiscontent to the other device or devices acting as NFC target or targetsand if no, receives content currently being output by said other deviceor devices. This embodiment is of particular advantage if a device (astarget) is always outputting content, e.g. digital picture frame in aslideshow and, for example, a mobile phone (as initiator) connects tothe digital picture frame during the slideshow. In this scenario, a userwho has a picture opened on his mobile phone most likely wants totransfer this picture to the digital picture frame. As the initiatordecides the transfer direction, an unwanted content transfer from thedigital picture frame to the mobile phone is suppressed or avoided. So,the mobile phone is able to send a picture to the digital picture framewithout receiving pictures being shown during the slideshow. However, ifno picture is opened on the phone, the picture being currently output bythe digital picture frame is automatically sent to the mobile phone. Onecan easily imagine that this example also relates to other types ofcontent, for example to a TV set (as target) showing videos, a PC (astarget) showing texts, or an audio system (as target) outputting musictracks.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will beelucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter, by way ofnon-limiting examples, with reference to the embodiments shown in thedrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a content transfer between a digital picture frame and amobile phone;

FIG. 2 shows another content transfer between a digital picture frameand a mobile phone;

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of three mobile phones;

FIG. 4 shows another arrangement of three mobile phones;

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a content transfer between a digital picture frame and amobile phone. The digital picture frame is one example for a firstdevice DEV1 and the mobile phone is one example for a second deviceDEV2.

The first device DEV1 comprises a first contactless interface INT1 andis currently outputting first content CONT1, which in this example is aportrait. Similarly, the second device comprises a second contactlessinterface INT2. Both devices DEV1 and DEV2 are connected via theirinterfaces INT1 and INT2, which is a radio link in this case. After thisconnection, device detection or even a negotiation between said devicesDEV1 and DEV2 is started. The aim is to find out which of the devicesDEV1 and DEV2 is currently outputting or rendering content, that is tosay an outputting status-information is detected. In this embodiment theresult of the detection or negotiation is that the first device DEV1 isoutputting first content CONT1 and the second device is not outputtingcontent at all. Accordingly, based on the outputting status-information,the first content TRAN_CONT1 is transferred to the second device DEV2via the radio link between the interfaces INT1 and INT2 and is stored inthe second device DEV2. One can see that no cumbersome user action isrequired for this data transfer.

It should be mentioned that the interfaces may be adapted as wiredinterfaces.

FIG. 2 shows another content transfer between a digital picture frameDEV1 and a mobile phone DEV2 that, except the differences statedhereinafter, is identical compared to the transfer described in FIG. 1.In this embodiment also the second device DEV2 is outputting secondcontent CONT2, in this case a landscape. Accordingly, the result of thedetection or negotiation is that also the second device DEV2 isoutputting or rendering the second content CONT2. Hence, in addition tothe transfer of the first content TRAN_CONT1, also the second content istransferred TRAN_CONT2 from the second device DEV2 to the first deviceDEV1. In this way, two users may easily exchange content, e.g. picturesshown on the display of their respective devices or music tracks outputthrough loudspeakers of the devices.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of three devices DEV1, DEV2, and DEV3, whichare all mobile phones in this example. After connecting the devicesDEV1, DEV2, and DEV3 through their interfaces INT1, INT2, and INT3 thedetection or negotiation procedure is started. The result in thisexample may be that only the first device DEV1 is outputting the firstcontent CONT1, again a portrait. Accordingly, the first content istransferred TRAN_CONT1 to the second device DEV2 and the third deviceDEV3 via the data link. However, in this situation also a question tothe user may be done, i.e. requesting input from the user to which ofthe second device DEV2 or the third device DEV3 the first content CONT1should be send.

FIG. 4 shows another arrangement between three mobile phones DEV1, DEV2,and DEV3 that, except the differences stated hereinafter, is identicalto the arrangement of FIG. 3. In this embodiment also the second deviceDEV2 is outputting second content CONT2, which is a landscape.Accordingly, the result of the detection or negotiation is that also thesecond device DEV2 is outputting the second content CONT2. Hence, inaddition to the transfer of the first content TRAN_CONT1, also thesecond content is transferred TRAN_CONT2 from the second device DEV2 tothe first device DEV1 and the third device DEV3. In this way, a group ofusers may easily exchange or share content, e.g. pictures shown on thedisplay of their devices or music tracks output through loudspeakers ofthe devices. However, in this situation again a question to the users isimaginable, to which of the devices DEV1, DEV2, and DEV3 content CONT1,CONT2 shall be sent.

In another exemplary embodiment the devices DEV1, DEV2, and DEV3 may beconnected through interfaces INT1, INT2, and INT3 that work accordingthe standard for Near Field Communication, NFC for short, there isanother differentiation between the devices DEV1, DEV2, and DEV3. When aNFC link is built up, one device is the initiator and the other is thetarget (e.g. the first device DEV1 is the initiator and the seconddevice DEV2 and the third device DEV3 are targets in FIG. 4). In thiscase the initiator device decides in which direction data shall betransferred depending on its state. If the content to transfer is openedusing an application on the initiator, the transfer direction is frominitiator to target. Otherwise, the direction is from the target deviceto the initiator. It should be noted that the NFC link may be used forcontent transfer, but also just as a bootstrap for another faster datalink, such as such as WLAN, Bluetooth or GPRS, USB network, wiredEthernet, for transferring the content.

In a first implementation, the initiator device retrieves the followinginformation from the target device via NFC for example:

Target device unique identification address (IP address, web URL,Bluetooth ID etc. . . . ).

Path to the content active (if any) at the time the NFC detectionoccurred.

Location on the target device where received content can be dumped. Thisis not necessary if the devices agree on a fixed location or it can bederived from the target device address (partially fixed).

The initiator device checks if any content is opened (ready fortransfer) and decides whether to send (case where content is active onthe initiator) or get the content. In this implementation, the targetonly provides the initiator with the set of information described above.It is the responsibility of the initiator to either send the content tothe target or retrieve the content from the target.

In a second implementation, the initiator checks if any content isopened (ready for transfer) and decides whether to send (case wherecontent is active on the initiator) or get the content, if it connectsto the target.

If content shall be transferred from initiator to target, the initiatordevice gets the following information from the target before contentactually is sent:

Target device unique identification address (IP address, web URL,Bluetooth ID etc. . . . ).

Location on the target device where content can be dumped. This is notnecessary if the devices agree on a fixed location or it can be derivedfrom the target device address (partially fixed).

If content shall be transferred from target to initiator, the initiatordevice sends the following information to the target before contentactually is sent:

Initiator device unique identification address (IP address, web URL,Bluetooth ID etc. . . . ).

Location on the initiator device where content can be dumped. This mightnot be necessary if the devices agree on a fixed location or it can bederived from the initiator device address (partially fixed).

It should be noted, that “currently outputting content” does notnecessarily mean that content has to be output at the time of connectingthe devices, i.e. that the output has to start before the connection. Italso means that content output may start during a connection. In thiscase opening a picture, starting a music track or video track, etc. bythe user has also the (implicit) consequence of transferring thiscontent to connected devices. However, there is no need to explicitlystart a dedicated transfer function each time a new picture or musictrack is opened.

Furthermore, it should be noted that although the Figures just showpictures as an example for content, of course the Figures relate also toother types of content such as music tracks, a video clips or a movies,and texts. Moreover, content can also be the combination of differenttypes of content being output at the same time e.g. a picture, anassociated text, and an audio message. Another example is a picturebeing displayed and a music track being played at the same time.

Finally, it should be noted that the above-mentioned embodimentsillustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled inthe art will be capable of designing many alternative embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed inparentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word“comprise” and its conjugations do not exclude the presence of elementsor steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as awhole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the pluralreference of such elements and vice-versa. In a device claim enumeratingseveral means, several of these means may be embodied by one and thesame item of software or hardware. The mere fact that certain measuresare recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicatethat a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

1. Method of transferring content between at least two devices,comprising: connecting said devices via associated interfaces, thedevices being capable of outputting said content; and detecting anoutputting status-information of at least one of the devices; andtransferring content between the devices via said interfaces based onthe outputting status-information.
 2. Method of claim 1, wherein thecontent transfer is started upon user confirmation.
 3. Method of claim1, wherein the content transfer is only started if there is just oneoutputting device.
 4. Method of claim 1, wherein each outputting devicetransfers the content, to said other device or devices.
 5. Methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said interface is an interface adaptedaccording a standard for Near Field Communication, NFC for short. 6.Method according to claim 5, wherein a device acting as a NFC initiatordetects whether it is currently outputting content and if yes, sendsthis content to the other device or devices acting as NFC target ortargets and if no, receives content currently being output by said otherdevice or devices.
 7. Device, comprising: means for outputting content;and an interface for connecting to at least another device; and meansfor detecting an outputting status-information of one of said devices;and transmission means for transmitting content between the devices viasaid interface based on the outputting status-information.
 8. Deviceaccording to claim 7, additionally comprising means for detecting ifsaid at least another device is currently outputting content, means forreceiving said content, which is currently being output, from saiddevice via said interface.
 9. Device according to claim 7, wherein saidinterface is an interface adapted according a standard for Near FieldCommunication, NFC for short.
 10. Device according to claim 9,comprising configuration means adapted to configure: sending of contentto the other device or devices acting as NFC target or targets if saiddevice is currently outputting said content and receiving of contentfrom the other device or devices acting as NFC target or targets if saiddevice is not currently outputting content in case of the device actingas NFC initiator.